The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for Salmonella-contaminated ground beef that may have been sold in Safeway supermarkets, causing 38 reported cases of food poisoning in five states. FSIS reported that the strain of Salmonella Newport linked to the outbreak is resistant to multiple antibiotics.
The 38 cases of Salmonella food poisoning were reported in the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and New Mexico, between September 19 and November 5, 2007. The food poisoning cases were linked by their rare PFGE pattern through PulseNet, a database maintained by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Epidemiological and case control studies conducted by the Arizona and California Health Departments and CDC demonstrated an association between the ground beef products and reported cases of Salmonella food poisoning.
One of the more alarming aspects of this outbreak is that despite a very intensive investigation, FSIS “could not identify specific establishments, lots, and products that would be subject to a recall.”
Consumers should check their freezers for the fresh ground beef products that may have been purchased from Safeway between September 19 and November 5, 2007. The product should be discarded and not eaten. And remember – When in doubt, throw it out!
Finally, FISIS warns that, “This particular strain of Salmonella is resistant to many commonly prescribed drugs, which can increase the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals.”
To learn more about Salmonella food poisoning, please see About Salmonella and Salmonella Food Poisoning Symptoms. You may also wish to visit our additional website www.foodpoisoning.com.
The Law Firm of Eric Weinberg currently represents individuals who have been sickened in Salmonella food poisoning outbreaks. If you believe that you are a victim of Salmonella food poisoning, and you have a question concerning your legal rights, please call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274, or click on Free Case Evaluation. To learn more about our law firm please see Food Poisoning Lawyer.
For information regarding recent Salmonella outbreaks and Salmonella related food recalls please see Alamosa Salmonella Outbreak, Yuma Salmonella Outbreak, and Cantaloupe Salmonella Lawyer.
